Restaurateur Zov tries a food shop, again

Chef Zov Karamardian poses in her recently opened Zov's Marketplace in Tustin. The gourmet food shop is located next to Zov's Bakery. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

In 1987, Zov Karamardian borrowed $73,000 from her mom to finance a fledgling food shop in Tustin. The mother of two teens wanted to parlay her successful at-home catering business into a takeout counter.

The 1,200-square-foot store sold pasta salads, sandwiches, soups and a few desserts. The Mediterranean-influenced meals were meant for takeout.

"People didn't want to take it home," Karamardian said. "People wanted to sit down. They wanted a restaurant."

She expanded. Five tables blossomed to dozens inside a full-service restaurant. Karamardian, whose mentor was Julia Child, eventually turned Zov's Bistro into a critically acclaimed restaurant known for feta-topped angel hair pasta, golden lentil soup and lamb dishes seasoned with her hand-mixed spices.

But despite the bistro's triumphs, Karamardian insisted on giving the food shop another try. Five years later, she opened a bakery on the opposite side of the bistro. She made everything – breads, sandwiches and pastries.

Again, customers didn't warm to the concept.

"I went into breads, and we couldn't give them away," she said.

Adapting again, Zov's Bakery became a casual dining cafe. She scrapped making bread and focused on desserts. It became a bustling stop for diners looking for a quick lunch or a gourmet treat.

"You grow or you die – one or the other," she said of the changes she has made over the years.

Never one to give up on an idea, Karamardian, 67, has expanded again. She's hoping the third time is the charm for her retail food shop.

"Life is full circle," she said of her third attempt at opening a boutique food shop.

This time, Karamardian believes the timing is right.

And Zov is an established brand.

Her name is on six Orange County restaurants as well as a catering company. Over the years, she has garnered countless awards, including Restaurateur of the Year by the California Restaurant Association and California Chef of the Year by the governor's office. She has written two cookbooks and cooked alongside food superstars such as Child, Emeril Lagasse, Todd English and Michael Symon.

Chef Zov Karamardian poses in her recently opened Zov's Marketplace in Tustin. The gourmet food shop is located next to Zov's Bakery. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Olive oils from the U.S., France and Italy are among the many intenational flavors offered at Zov's Marketplace in Tustin. Many varieties of rare pasta and vinegars can also be found here. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Shoppers purchase items at Zov's Marketplace in Tustin near custom iPad stations. The touch-screen devices allow customers to browse menus, view products and order catering packages. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chef Zov Karamardian with her chocolate chip cookies at Zov's Bistro & Bakery in Tustin. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Italian sauces and pasta are plentiful at Zov's Marketplace in Tustin. The retail food shop is next to Zov's Bakery in Tustin. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The bakery at Zov's Bistro & Bakery in Tustin. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The decor of Zov's Marketplace in Tustin reflects the rustic selection of gourmet food items. The store is designed to make life easier for at-home cooks, time-strapped families and foodies on the go. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Many varities of hard to find pastas and grains are offered for sale at Zov's Marketplace in Tustin. The unique ingredients compliment her Mediterranean-influenced dishes. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The bakery dining area at Zov's Bistro & Bakery in Tustin is a popular local eatery. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The bistro at Zov's Bistro & Bakery in Tustin. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Meals to go, such as (clockwise from bottom right) the Green Beans with Roasted Peppers and Sauteed Mushrooms, Fresh Beets with Dill and Orange Vinagrette, the Broccoli and Roasted Pepper with Asian Dressing, or the Freekeh Salad are offered at Zov's Marketplace in Tustin. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Zov's Bistro & Bakery in Tustin was made a local insitution by Chef Zov Karamardian. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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